Author Topic: Cheap Things That Make You Happy  (Read 939083 times)

goat_music_generator

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2250 on: July 17, 2020, 07:41:13 AM »
Whipped coffee. I just discovered it, and have now bought some slightly-fancier instant coffee to make it with because it's so good (and easy to make). Still less than 30 cents per cup.

Trifle

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2251 on: July 17, 2020, 03:17:28 PM »
Blueberry picking with my daughter and cousin in the fields behind our houses.  We got enough for pancakes tomorrow.

It's blackberries for us right now.  I've been picking buckets full with my kids, and will be making jam. 

mspym

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2252 on: July 17, 2020, 03:47:24 PM »
@OtherJen Blackout is so good! It's also an odd one for me because Hepola was one of my early blog roll reads and then she sort of disappeared and I never knew what happened to her.

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2253 on: July 17, 2020, 04:14:40 PM »
@OtherJen Blackout is so good! It's also an odd one for me because Hepola was one of my early blog roll reads and then she sort of disappeared and I never knew what happened to her.

I'd heard interviews with her, and my interest was piqued. I hope she's okay.

Trudie

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2254 on: July 19, 2020, 05:23:25 PM »
Cooking dried beans.  Lame, but true.

Just Joe

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2255 on: July 20, 2020, 03:02:04 PM »
A moment of coolness early in the morning before hot July weather arrives for the day.



+1.

Right now it's 92F in my house.
that's damned hot
I hope you have a fan running!

okisok

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2256 on: July 20, 2020, 03:07:09 PM »
Aldi chocolate. Currently enjoying the Choceur Rich Dark, but can also vouch for the Scottengen (?) their other chocolate line.

Fish Sweet

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2257 on: July 20, 2020, 08:02:18 PM »
Baking a batch of Scottish shortbread cookies.  3 cheapo ingredients and you're good to go-- If I'm feeling fancy, I dip them in chocolate.  Back in The Before Times, I'd have friends clamoring to take some home! 

Sorting and inventorying my backlog of crafting fragrances.  Part mental exercise, part business planning, part excuse to smell a bunch of nice scents and feel good about it. :)

Just Joe

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2258 on: July 21, 2020, 03:48:25 PM »
Okay Fish Sweet - can I beg for the recipe? PLLLLLEEAASSSEEE? ;)

lazycow

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2259 on: July 22, 2020, 01:20:51 AM »
Crafternoon with tea and cake with a friend.

Fish Sweet

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2260 on: July 22, 2020, 01:26:07 AM »
Okay Fish Sweet - can I beg for the recipe? PLLLLLEEAASSSEEE? ;)
You got it!! :)

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/scottish-shortbread/

Just Joe

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2261 on: July 22, 2020, 03:23:44 PM »
Thank you!

Freedomin5

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2262 on: July 23, 2020, 12:27:14 AM »
Homemade chunky monkey chocolate peanut butter banana popsicles

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2263 on: July 23, 2020, 04:33:47 PM »
Homemade plum jam and soft goat's milk cheese on crackers.

mspym

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2264 on: July 23, 2020, 05:13:06 PM »
Homemade dill & lemon cashew spread on fancy crackers.
Magnolia flowers against a clear sky.
Finding the good and very cheap Thai curry pastes.
The really good peanut butter at a 50% discount.

Raenia

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2265 on: July 23, 2020, 05:59:11 PM »
Homemade peach butter on homemade whole-wheat sourdough.

Having the time to spend an afternoon making peach butter.

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2266 on: July 23, 2020, 06:26:00 PM »
Homemade peach butter on homemade whole-wheat sourdough.

Having the time to spend an afternoon making peach butter.

I’ve made apple butter but hadn’t ever thought to make peach butter. It sounds amazing!

BussoV6

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2267 on: July 24, 2020, 04:18:56 AM »
Homemade chunky monkey chocolate peanut butter banana popsicles

I have no idea what this even means, but it sounds deliciously decadent!

Raenia

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2268 on: July 24, 2020, 06:57:10 AM »
Homemade peach butter on homemade whole-wheat sourdough.

Having the time to spend an afternoon making peach butter.

I’ve made apple butter but hadn’t ever thought to make peach butter. It sounds amazing!

This was my first try, and it was well worth it.  Tastes like summer!  I've made apple butter before, but certain people in my family prefer apple sauce to apple butter, so my apples usually go there and I wanted something else to put on toast.  I've heard of pear butter as well, just have to keep an eye out for a good price on pears.

Freedomin5

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2269 on: July 24, 2020, 03:52:45 PM »
Homemade chunky monkey chocolate peanut butter banana popsicles

I have no idea what this even means, but it sounds deliciously decadent!

One banana, one tbsp peanut butter, a bit of cocoa powder, a bit of milk. Blend together and pour into popsicle molds. Or add a few ice cubes before blending to make a smoothie.

ETA: Actually you should probably double that recipe. It’s that delicious.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2020, 03:55:32 PM by Freedomin5 »

Monerexia

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2270 on: July 24, 2020, 11:13:53 PM »
A can of pork and beans a couple hours ago, a bowl of grape nuts with brown sugar and a banana just now, and a dozen bookcases filled from years of attending semi-annual library sales.

BussoV6

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2271 on: July 25, 2020, 05:14:50 AM »
Homemade chunky monkey chocolate peanut butter banana popsicles

I have no idea what this even means, but it sounds deliciously decadent!

One banana, one tbsp peanut butter, a bit of cocoa powder, a bit of milk. Blend together and pour into popsicle molds. Or add a few ice cubes before blending to make a smoothie.

ETA: Actually you should probably double that recipe. It’s that delicious.

OMG, we made 6 of these this morning. Very yummy. One was dropped accidently and my neighbours black lab lept on it and quickly ate it.  Thanks for the tip!!

Freedomin5

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2272 on: July 25, 2020, 06:18:45 AM »
Homemade chunky monkey chocolate peanut butter banana popsicles

I have no idea what this even means, but it sounds deliciously decadent!

One banana, one tbsp peanut butter, a bit of cocoa powder, a bit of milk. Blend together and pour into popsicle molds. Or add a few ice cubes before blending to make a smoothie.

ETA: Actually you should probably double that recipe. It’s that delicious.

OMG, we made 6 of these this morning. Very yummy. One was dropped accidently and my neighbours black lab lept on it and quickly ate it.  Thanks for the tip!!

You’re welcome! And they’re healthy, so you could eat as many as you want and not feel guilty because you’re mainly eating fruit, protein, and calcium! :D

iris lily

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2273 on: July 26, 2020, 11:13:32 AM »
So many things...
Flannelette sheets on my bed in winter.
Hanging washing outside in the sun to get that delicious air-dried smell.
Listening to Beethoven's Top 100 on ABC FM Classic radio, on repeat.
Baking a lemon cake with home grown lemons.

I was happy to see my neighbor, a neighbor at our weekend house, hanging her laundry. That is cool. Our weekend house is in a small town where, when I walk down the alleys, I am transported back to 1963.

High quality lemon desserts with strong lemon flavoring are the bomb!

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2274 on: July 26, 2020, 11:30:25 AM »
Lemon desserts are the best!

I just picked about a dozen shishito peppers from our plants. We’ll have a couple of jalapeños and spaghetti squashes soo, and we already have loads of basil.

slackmax

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2275 on: July 26, 2020, 11:48:39 AM »
Discovering that  my old Panasonic Villager 10 speed road bike is still roadworthy, after simply pumping up the tires. Have been taking it out every morning for a few  miles of fun.    Good exercise too. 
« Last Edit: July 26, 2020, 11:57:04 AM by slackmax »

okisok

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2276 on: July 26, 2020, 06:35:47 PM »
Freezer/pantry item made-up recipes that turn out! I created a casserole with gifted pheasant, free from work celery, carrots, a can of soup, and some canned corn. SO said it was the best pheasant he'd ever had, and he's an avid hunter that's eaten a lot of wild game.
Sam's Club Member's Mark pre-made margarita mix. SO pointed out that an entire bottle (probably 8 cocktails) is cheaper than one drink at our favorite Mexican spot. Cheers!

Dicey

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2277 on: July 29, 2020, 06:59:52 AM »
Bloop Bloop getting his arse locked down for six weeks.

He did?  Where Is it posted?  Maybe he will learn something from it.

Melbourne has been re-locked down for 6 weeks.

LOL  I  thought you meant here. 
LOL, me too...

Frugal Lizard

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2278 on: July 29, 2020, 10:24:56 AM »
watching a juvenile squirrel haul an immature white pine cone back to his stash.  The cone was bigger than the body of the squirrel but he was bringing it home.

Luke Warm

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2279 on: July 29, 2020, 11:44:12 AM »
speaking of squirrels, we get the occasional white squirrel around here. usually they are grey but there are some mutants that are white, not albino. i consider it good luck to see one. last year i saw 3 in one day. i haven't seen one in a while.

mspym

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2280 on: July 29, 2020, 03:06:54 PM »
Discovering that the Everlane "cropped" length is the correct trouser length for me. I don't have to get 5" of fabric removed to have the right trouser length!

Although, in the other direction, a decent tailor tweaking ready-to-wear clothes is a cheap way to feel like a million bucks in all your clothes.

lazycow

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2281 on: July 30, 2020, 03:04:11 AM »
A hot bath Epsom Salts with a glass of red wine.

Freedomin5

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2282 on: July 30, 2020, 04:19:05 AM »
Family bike ride after dinner. Not having to wear a mask during our family bike ride.

Kris

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2283 on: July 30, 2020, 08:00:41 AM »
Sitting in our sun room on a cool summer morning with the windows open and a cup of coffee. The small breeze is just enough to bring the outside in and make it feel like I’m in a treehouse.

TheFrenchCat

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2284 on: July 30, 2020, 08:40:24 AM »
A hot bath Epsom Salts with a glass of red wine.
Seconded!  I miss having a bathtub so much!

goat_music_generator

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2285 on: July 30, 2020, 08:50:35 AM »
Taking a walk with a friend in the park and talking.

(With masks on.)

ZsaZsa

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2286 on: July 30, 2020, 10:37:31 AM »
Sharing 3 HUGE tomatoes with Mr. Z...fresh from the garden. One bowl, two forks, and a salt shaker.
We will dream about that when the snow flies.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2287 on: July 30, 2020, 02:18:13 PM »
A game of ultimate Frisbee with extended family at our reunion. Although the sore muscles I'll have tomorrow might not make me very happy :)

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2288 on: July 30, 2020, 08:10:54 PM »
Virtual choir rehearsal. I hit a C6 (high C) comfortably during warmup. Good to know that I still can!

goat_music_generator

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2289 on: July 31, 2020, 12:09:21 PM »
Virtual choir rehearsal. I hit a C6 (high C) comfortably during warmup. Good to know that I still can!

That's nuts! Good for you.

Just Joe

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2290 on: July 31, 2020, 01:23:08 PM »
Here is an odd one:

anticipation

I'm looking forward to cooler weather b/c I am more active when I'm not melting.
I'm looking forward to a home cooked meal with my family tonight.
I'm looking forward to streaming a movie or TV show with one of our teens this weekend.
I'm looking forward to returning to some of my hobbies now that we have a big project behind us.

The actual activity is nice but the anticipation is nice too.

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2291 on: July 31, 2020, 03:11:22 PM »
The delicious little orange cherry tomatoes in today’s CSA share. Yum!

NorthernMonkey

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2292 on: August 01, 2020, 12:27:10 AM »
Building a youtube channel as a hobby. It's got me out the house for the past month chasing things down. Made me ride my bike to get to the right places, and has cost me the price of two 64gb SD cards.

All the rest of the camera, tripod, pc etc I already had.

I guess now that lockdown is over I feel I need to get out and about more, and this gives me something to aim at

stream26

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2293 on: August 02, 2020, 10:02:43 AM »
Making ice cream with coconut milk and whatever else, super cheap and oh so good on these hot days.
Making a quick thank you card from a chocolate wrapper.
Fresh basil and tomatoes from our garden.
Going for a walk with my dog
« Last Edit: August 02, 2020, 07:16:51 PM by stream26 »

Xethos

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2294 on: August 02, 2020, 12:54:54 PM »
Watching a sunset on the beach.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2020, 01:02:56 PM by Xethos »

Tigerpine

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2295 on: August 02, 2020, 01:29:40 PM »
Spending time with my wife.

OtherJen

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2296 on: August 03, 2020, 07:27:08 PM »
A break in the hot, humid weather and a bike ride before it started raining again.

mspym

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2297 on: August 03, 2020, 07:41:25 PM »
Homemade biscuits

middo

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2298 on: August 03, 2020, 08:36:13 PM »
Watching snow fall outside while warm in front of the fire.  We rarely get snow (maybe once every 5 years) and seeing it come down is so beautiful.  It melted as it hit the ground, but still so magical.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #2299 on: August 03, 2020, 08:44:20 PM »
We planted peach trees in our back yard 7 or 8 years ago.  This is the first year we've finally gotten a decent crop, and our kitchen smells AMAZING from the peaches ripening on the counter.